Music & Night life

Victor DeLorenzo, founding drummer of Milwaukee-born band Violent Femmes, issued a statement Tuesday saying that the band's Summerfest performance this year (pictured above) will be his last with the group.

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Seriously, I think Ritchie does this crap just to remain "relevant", or as close to relevant a washed up, d-list, wish-he-was-a-rock-star junkie could ever be. Ritchie should just stay in whatever country he moved to and just leave us alone. He's already ruined whatever legacy the Violent Femmes had.

Treatment Bound - I understand you are defending this band, that's okay. You like the Femmes, you follow the Femmes. In this day and age of direct social media and linking, you can sign up for umpteen services online that will have you informed of what each of these clowns had for breakfast, or whatever detail you want to know...

What I am "enduring" is the idea that general, "print" media space for the local rag (JS online) is limited. It could be covering more diverse and intrinsically valuable local musical news and happenings. Instead, it makes headlines out of the money grabs and squabbles of the few MKE bands of yore, such as this article.

Spatty - First glad you are part of the I hate any local band that made it crowd. The tendency of many people is to slam any local band that makes it as sell outs and average.

Are they great musicians? Probably not but their style of music seemed to connect with a number of people and they still have a decent following. And some folks are a bit nostalgic for a local band that made good. Sorry that irritates you but my guess is that is an easy thing to do.

For those complaining about their voices. Seems like there are many interesting voices out there that have made it (Dylan, Neil Young, Petty, Tom Waits). I'm sure you all have angelic voices but so far I doubt I've heard them on the radio.

spattyWisk, you nailed it here! Milwaukee wants to cling to medeocrity just because some of the local "talent" has gained some popularity. Ok, here come the supporters hoping to rip me apart...yawn...stretch...

DeLorenzo is the only member of the Violent Femmes who still currently lives in Milwaukee. He also still plays shows locally with the bands Lorenzo-Menzerschmidt and NineteenThirteen. Therefore, he's also the only member of the Violent Femmes still making noteworthy hometown music. He's a true Milwaukeean and is deserving of our support. The other two can go kiss off.

Jebus, why so crotchety? Sorry I said something positive about a local boy-done good. DeLorenzo stuck around Milwaukee due to loyalty of his hometown, while the other two high tailed it out of here before their first paycheck hit the bank. If you knew anything about the guy, you'd know he has been filling local festivals and clubs for years without the aid of the Violent Femmes. You would be hurt to if you were forced from a group that you helped forge and make famous. He collaborated with these guys for 30 years, touring as many as 200 shows per year, only to be stabbed in the back by guys he thought of as brothers. Is this hard work/payoff concept alien to you?

After seeing the Femmes in this one last time at Summerfest , It seems that Victor has some issues he walked off the stage a few times ,for what reasons ? and it was not part of the act ,but it seemed like he has some long deep rooted problems ....They will go on maybe even better ,Victor wish you well but your time has come to a end .MOVE ON!!!!!!!!!!

Unlike the new guy, I guess Victor refuses to work for T-shirts and whatever other leftover swag that doesn't sell.

Understand Gordon and Brian's position. Gordon has to keep up with Yoko at the Dakota and that takes coin: he certainly doesn't want commoners buying in. And Brian's no better off trying to manage his huge Devil ranch in Tasmania. Victor can return to his solid gig washing dishes at George Webb.

Why this continuing fascination with the Femmes? Milwaukee has little to hold on to in terms of producing national music talent. Are the Femmes any better than The Robbs? Bad Boy? Bodeans? Let's face it, Liberace was the best we can offer, then or now.

crashtap - It is always interesting to read the I hate milwaukee music comments. I agree there is a shortage of original music. The Femmes were one of the few original bands that made it and continue to have a following (if you question that look at their reception at Coachella). I know there is a tendency to rip anyone who made it as a sell out but that is usually left to the jealous.

I probably overestimate their relevance given their height of popularity was around the time I graduated HS and into college. I do give modern music a fair shot from time to time, but most of us are forever frozen musically in those years.